Course: Recording Connection for Live DJ
Audio Education Upgraded
for 2022
Curriculum Overview
Live DJ Lesson 1 – Getting Started
Welcome to the Recording Connection’s Ableton Live 9 curriculum. The lessons contained within conform with the multitude of additions and improvements included in Ableton Live 9. This lesson details how to optimize your computer for audio work, connecting and configuring external devices with Ableton, and an overview of the Ableton... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 2 – Core Concepts
Learn core concepts of Ableton Live including sets (.als)–Ableton’s term for a session, or song; projects—folders that may contain sets, as well as other files and folders; tracks–for audio clips and/or audio signal flow; and MIDI tracks–for MIDI Clips and/or MIDI signal flow. MIDI Tracks also double as instrument Tracks... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 3 – Audio in Live
This lesson looks at Live’s incredibly flexible mixer. You can change mixer & I/O settings for multiple Tracks simultaneously and drag audio from your desktop, or from any Finder/Explorer window, to the desired location in Session or Arrangement View.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 4 – MIDI in Live
What is MIDI? It stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Officially born in 1983, it is a protocol and does not contain audio. It works by telling sound generating devices (synths, samplers, etc.) how to generate sounds. Highly flexible, MIDI does not take up a lot of space on your... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 5 – Browsers, Instrument and FX Devices, & File Management
This lesson looks at Live’s browsers and file management capabilities. Live’sbBrowsers are not peripheral features, they are integral to a smooth workflow. The Browsers are where we find files, presets, devices, plug-ins, and more. File Management is to music production as an oil change is to a sports car. If... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 6 – Integrating Features Into a Workflow
Now that you know how to create, record, and manipulate audio and MIDI clips, you will likely want to start organizing them in session view. Learn why keeping similar instruments on the same track or two and naming your clips, tracks, & scenes are important elements in workflow.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 7 – Workflow Enhancements
This lesson looks at a few features that every Live user should know how to use. With any DAW, it is the integration of features that makes one a power user. This fact is even more true with Ableton Live, as developing a workflow that matches your process is what... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 8 – Effects Processing in Live
Ableton Live 9 Suite includes 40 Audio Effect Devices. The effects can be broken down, roughly, into seven categories – though some effects may fit in more than one, and others are really un-categorizable. This lesson teaches you how to add the effect and modify it yourself, or hot-swap a... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 9 – Arranging and Mixing Techniques
More than a necessary feature for completing projects, arrangement view has a lot to offer in many types of sound creation situations. This lesson covers the basic features employed by Live for playback and navigation in arrangement view.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 10 – Sound Design & Sampling in Live
This lesson explores how we can warp audio in non-conventional ways. We include several example audio and MIDI tracks so to help explore and understand how the process works.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 11 – Sound Design & Synthesis in Live
In addition to the sample-based instruments, the Ableton Live Suite includes 5 synthesis instruments. If you do not own the Suite, each of the instruments is available from Ableton as an add-on. Vocoder is included in both packages. This lesson includes an in-depth discussion of operator, and an overview of... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 12 – Instrument & FX Racks
Racks allow you to combine multiple devices – MIDI Effects, Audio Effects, Drums and Instruments – into single devices. This not only makes preset managing easier, but also allows for control and flexibility that is truly amazing. In this lesson we will review all 4 types of racks.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 13 – Project Completion
So you have completed the production process with your Ableton Live Project, and want to get it out to the world. What are the final steps? It begins with looking at finalizing our mix and arrangement using your lesson 13 .als file.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 16 – Basic Max for Live Devices I
Max for Live is a visual programming environment that allows users to build instruments and effects for use within Ableton Live, and it comes bundled with Live 9 Suite. This lesson covers Basic Max for Live functionality within Ableton 9, the Max for Live devices that are included with the... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 17 – Basic Max for Live Devices II
Analog Kick is a freely available Max for Live Synthesizer specifically designed to allow users to create a multitude of different electronic kick drum sounds and other effects. You can find the Max for Live Device in .amxd format online, and you will need to download and install it for... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 18 – Expanded Macros & External Devices
Ableton Live 9 offers a multitude of options for using external MIDI instruments such as synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. In this lesson, we discuss how to configure your MIDI Settings so that you may use external synthesizers, the various options you have for using External MIDI & Audio processing... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 19 – Live on Stage
Performing with Ableton Live can be as unique as you are. The first thing to ask yourself is: “What is it exactly that I want to do”? Are you trying to trigger backing tracks for your band? Are you making an Art Installation that needs looping audio material that evolves... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 20 – Final
The final exam for our Ableton Live course consists of a final written exam and a practical exam that is performed in under the supervision of your mentor. Your mentor will send a copy of your Q/A sheet to Recording Connection.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 21 – Ableton Push
Push is a comprehensive instrument for laying down and tweaking tracks in the studio or at home – it can also be a versatile unit for performing live. Before we dive into the specifics of Push, know that Push requires absolutely no setup; Simply plug it in and Ableton will... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 14 – Live 9 Features I
There are a multitude of ways to convert Audio clips to MIDI notes, allowing for extensive creative possibilities. We will discuss the various methods of doing so in detail. You will end up with a new MIDI Track containing the aforementioned audio clip, split up onto the keys.... Read more
Live DJ Lesson 15 – Live 9 Features II
This lesson concentrates of the frequency analyzer (the waveform embedded into EQ Eight’s display.) This displays the amplitude and frequency of the audio entering into EQ Eight. This is a visual display of the content you are working with, and is incredibly useful.... Read more
Ableton Live Course Curriculum
About our Ableton Live Course Curriculum If you aspire to be an electronic musician or club DJ, Ableton Live is a must. Unlike other digital music production software, Ableton is specifically designed to meet the needs of electronic musicians, combining the best of in-the-box virtual instruments with powerful arranging capabilities and... Read more
Learn to be a Live DJ
We teach aspiring audio enthusiasts and music makers what it takes to be a Live DJ on the festival circuit.
Create, Arrange, and Perform Your Sets
The Recording Connection Live DJ with Ableton Live program teaches aspiring audio enthusiasts and music makers what it takes to be a Live DJ on the festival circuit. As a part of the Live DJ school and EDM production program, you will learn the principles of the genre in order to create amazing live performances for an array of live music audiences and settings.
If you want to launch your career as a DJ, consider choosing a school or program that will help you connect to the music industry without forcing you into huge amounts of debt. With our on-the-job training approach, we believe the Recording Connection is the place to start your career as a real working DJ.
Digital Audio Workstations: Tools of the Trade
A Live DJ’s best friend, the digital audio workstation (DAW) has become a staple for many electronic musicians. Depending on the processing speed and storage of your laptop, it’s like having a sound studio in your computer bag. Pre-loaded with instruments, sample packs, and the ability to store and arrange your files, a Live DJ should never leave home without their DAW.
But there’s more to becoming a Live DJ than just having the right DAW or DJ controllers, you also need to know how to use your tools as a pro DJ. That’s where the Recording Connection comes in. By working one-on-one with an experienced DJ inside of a real-world studio, our DJ program is much more than beat matching, sound design, and mixing techniques.
Meet Our Mentors
Our mentors have years of experience engineering music, producing electronic music, and working in hip hop, rock, pop, and every other genre. When you learn to DJ with Recording Connection, you’re learning from the best.
Mentoring the U.S. and Beyond
With more than 300 locations around the world, as well as remote learning opportunities, we’ve increased access to our programs
FAQ
Why do I need the Live DJ School?
DAWs and improved home computing have made it easier than ever to learn how to become a live DJ. With YouTube videos, online tutorials, and message boards, anyone can learn how to DJ, live stream, or upload their sets to the internet. But are they learning the right way, or picking up bad habits? With our one-on-one mentoring, you’ll learn how to DJ in today’s world, how to adapt on the fly, and how to use the software to its fullest much faster.
Are Recording Connection Programs expensive?
They aren’t free, but when compared to university or trade school tuition, we feel our programs offer a tremendous amount of value and experience that just isn’t available in other educational institutions. Read more about our tuition rates here.
Recording Connection provides affordable, unique education models coupled with mentor-based (externship) programs that can be engaged remotely or in person.
New! Finance your education with Climb. Get approved in minutes with no impact to your credit score.
We Stand Against Student Debt!
FIND OUT MORE
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All Students Have Access To:
Other schools do classrooms and campus studio labs, with us, your classroom is a real studio in the real world.
You will only learn from an industry veteran who owns or operates his or her own real-world recording studio. Other schools employ full-time teachers who may or may not have achieved success in the real world. Our mentors are not only artists in their craft but working, successful business pros. Imagine what you can learn from them!
Many of our students have been offered the opportunity to work on real-world sessions while they are students with us!! Our students have worked with Beyoncé, Kanye West, Robert Plant, Miley Cyrus, Solange, Khalid, Lady Antebellum, Aerosmith, Marilyn Manson, Johnny Depp and Billy Bob Thornton to name a few while being taught by legendary producers Joe Chicarelli, Al Schmitt, Detail, Ross Hogarth, Ryan Hewitt, F. Reid Shippen and countless others.
Recording Connection takes a unique approach to learning music production and pride ourselves on having a very modern approach to cost. Put plainly—we hate student debt just as much as you do. Throughout our 30 years in the business, we have made it a primary focus to keep our tuition affordable. Very affordable. While we believe we could price our education at three times what it actually costs, we have made it our mission to keep costs low. When you graduate with us, you will not be buried by burdensome amounts of debt.
In addition to the industry pro who will be your mentor, tutoring is available to you for the entire time you are enrolled with us. Need help with your homework? Can't figure out Pro Tools, Ableton, Logic or more? Want to learn how to make more beats? Have a question you forgot to ask your mentor? Want career advice? Want us to help you build a song? Create a resume? Our tutors and Academic Facilitators are here for you!
Our fully staffed Career Services Department exists for one reason—to help our students and graduates get hired. From helping you create an awesome resume, to handling and scheduling your job interview, to finding job opportunities in your area, we’ve got your back.
The more you give to our programs the more you get. Want more time in the studio to study, practice or observe? Simply prove your passion and dedication to your mentor and you will find there is virtually no limit to studio access.
Personal, hands-on lab time is built into our program. You’ll never find yourself fighting over gear availability with dozens of other students. And speaking of gear, because you will be learning in a real-world recording studio you will be learning on the latest gear.
The only way to learn how things work in the real world is to learn in the real world. Since our program places you inside a real-world recording studio on the very first day, you’ll learn all the essentials: studio etiquette, client relations, shortcuts, how to meet a deadline, the art of running a recording studio and so much more. This gives you a tremendous advantage over other schools’ students who never got off the campus and who often graduate underprepared.
You’ve probably heard the expression “It’s who you know.” In the music industry this is definitely true. With The Recording Connection you have access to industry connections on a daily basis. As your progress with our program and start sitting in on recording sessions, you’ll meet your mentor’s connections—artists, producers, mixers, managers, gear reps and many more. It’s networking from the inside.
Once you are in with us, YOU ARE IN! The Recording Connection deals with hundreds of recording studios, audio engineers, music producers, mixers, record labels and studio owners on a daily basis. As long as you are a student or graduate of our programs, in good standing, our access is your access.
